DOCTORS FEARED THEY MIGHT LOSE BABY JAYDEN — THEN A VIRTUAL REALITY MODEL HELPED GUIDE HIS LIFE-SAVING SURGERY

A Terrifying Discovery Before Birth

When Somya Mirville noticed that her baby was moving less than usual during pregnancy, she knew something might be wrong. She went to the hospital, hoping to find answers. Instead, her family received devastating news: her unborn son, Jayden Mirville-Beamon, had a rare tumor growing inside his chest.

The tumor was enormous, occupying much of the space in his chest. It had attached itself to his aorta, one of the body’s largest arteries, and pushed his heart toward the right side. It also made it difficult for his lungs to expand properly.

Doctors diagnosed Jayden with a rare pericardial teratoma. As the tumor continued to grow, the medical team faced a frightening reality: without treatment, the condition could be fatal.

For Somya and Jayden’s father, Eddie Beamon, the uncertainty was overwhelming. They were preparing to welcome their son while also confronting the possibility that he might not survive.

Preparing for a Surgery Doctors Had Never Taken Lightly

Jayden’s medical team at M Health Fairview Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minnesota had to plan an operation involving a very small baby and a tumor dangerously close to vital structures.

To better understand the anatomy, pediatric cardiologist Dr. Shanti Narasimhan used virtual reality technology to create a three-dimensional model of Jayden’s chest from medical scans. The model allowed the surgical team to examine the tumor’s position and its relationship to his heart, blood vessels and other organs before operating.

The technology gave the doctors a more detailed view of the challenge ahead. In a case where even a small mistake could have serious consequences, being able to explore the anatomy in advance helped the team prepare for the complex procedure.

Born Prematurely, With the Tumor Still Inside

Jayden was delivered by cesarean section at just over 32 weeks of pregnancy. He weighed 4 pounds and 15 ounces at birth.

Although he cried when he was born, the danger had not passed. The tumor remained inside his chest, and his doctors needed to remove it. His parents watched as the medical team took over his care, knowing that the next operation would be critical.

The family had only been able to hold him briefly before the surgery. Somya later described the fear of wondering whether that might be the only chance she would have to hold her baby.

An Eight-Hour Operation to Remove the Tumor

The surgical team faced a demanding operation. The tumor was roughly larger than a tennis ball and weighed about a quarter of a pound. It was attached to Jayden’s aorta, making removal particularly dangerous.

Surgeons Dr. Murfad Peer and Dr. Bradley Segura worked with the wider medical team to remove the tumor in one piece. Jayden was connected to a heart-lung bypass machine to help protect him during the procedure.

The operation lasted about eight hours. Once the tumor was removed, Jayden’s heart quickly shifted back toward its normal position.

According to the Minnesota Star Tribune’s report, Jayden had remained tumor-free since the operation at the time the story was published. Because the tumor was immature, doctors noted that there was still a small possibility it could return, so continued monitoring remained important.

A Baby Boy Getting Back to Being a Baby

Jayden’s recovery included another hospital stay after an infection, along with ongoing care and speech therapy. But his family gradually began seeing encouraging signs.

By the time he was seven months old, Jayden was home with his parents in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. He was playing, reaching for his mother’s hair, and getting closer to sitting up on his own. His parents said he was catching up in his development.

For Somya and Eddie, these ordinary baby moments meant everything after months of uncertainty and fear. Their son’s journey had involved highly specialized medicine, advanced imaging technology and a major operation—but the goal was always to give him the chance to grow and enjoy childhood.

Jayden’s story is also a reminder that complex medical care often depends on a whole team working together. In his case, careful planning and a virtual model of his anatomy helped surgeons prepare for an operation that gave him a chance to keep growing.

Source: Minnesota Star Tribune, “How a Minnesota baby battled a deadly tumor bigger than his head with VR’s help,” January 22, 2025.